Kathleen Wynne meets with Alberta premier
Posted January 30, 2013 11:38 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta Premier Alison Redford made a stop at the Ontario legislature on Wednesday to sit down with the premier-to-be Kathleen Wynne.
The two settled in a room in the legislative library to talk, giving each other a high-five for the cameras.
Redford says they talked about the fundamentals of economic growth and the many challenges both provinces face this year.
She says the meeting gives them a chance to discuss where they can find some common ground.
They may already have something in common as Redford tries to get a new contract with Alberta’s doctors.
Ontario finally settled a new agreement with its doctors after a months-long battle over their fees.
Health Minister Deb Matthews — who played a major role in Wynne’s campaign — played hardball with Ontario doctors by cutting their fees when the two sides were at an impasse.
The matter was settled in early December, with doctors endorsing a new deal that’s expected to trim spending by $400 million.
Redford has suggested how talks go with the physicians could affect whether Alberta brings back health premiums after a four-year absence.
Ontario’s governing Liberals brought in a health premium of up to $900 per worker in 2003, which was widely criticized because Premier Dalton McGuinty had signed a pledge during the election campaign not to raise taxes.